SB 3 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Employee Child Care Assistance Pilot Program; established, reports.

Summary

Employee Child Care Assistance Program established. Establishes the Employee Child Care Assistance Program to provide matching funds in order to incentivize employers to contribute to the child care costs of their employees. The Program shall be administered by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation. To participate in the Program, an employer shall agree to make child care contributions to the eligible mixed delivery provider on behalf of the employee or to a third-party administrator, as defined by the bill, and shall provide any other information deemed necessary by the Foundation. The bill specifies that, to the extent funds are available, the Foundation shall issue a state match to a third-party administrator. Program funds shall be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis; however, the bill clarifies that the Foundation is encouraged to prioritize awards to proposals involving contributions from small businesses. The bill requires the Foundation to provide an interim report to the General Assembly by September 1, 2028, and a summative report to the General Assembly by September 1, 2030, on the effectiveness and impact of the Program. This bill is identical to HB 18.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Nov 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Nov 17, 2025 Signed Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Appropriations Substitute → Chaptered · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill transitioned from a House-submitted substitute version to its final enacted form as Chapter 546. The substantive policy content, including definitions, program mechanics, and reporting deadlines, remains identical between the two versions. The primary change is the addition of official legislative formatting, including the session title, chapter number, and approval date, which signifies the bill has passed all legislative stages and become law.

TECHNICAL

Added official legislative headers including 'VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY - 2026 SESSION', 'CHAPTER 546', and the approval date 'April 13, 2026'.

Added the bill identifier '[S 3]' to the final text.

Removed draft-specific metadata such as 'HOUSE SUBSTITUTE', bill number '26108281D', and the note regarding the original Senate sponsor.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 11, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 25, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Feb 11, 2026

D Democratic20

20 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 13, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 546 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB3ER)

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed House with substitute (94-Y 4-N 0-A)

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Appropriations with substitute (22-Y 0-N)

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Assigned HAPP sub: Elementary & Secondary Education

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Appropriations

lower

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N)

upper

Nov 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations

upper

1 primary · 19 co-sponsors